Metal delivery agents and therapeutic uses of the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to metal complexes, processes for their preparation and their use as pharmaceutical or veterinary agents, in particular for the treatment of conditions in which metal delivery can prevent, alleviate or ameliorate the condition. There are a number of clinical conditions which are caused by or associated with abnormal levels of metals (typically low metal levels). Conditions in of this type include cancer and conditions characterized by or associated with oxidative damage, more specifically neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease or Huntington's disease. The invention also relates to ligands useful in the preparation of metal complexes of this type.

The claims defining the invention are as follows: 
     
       1. A method comprising
 providing a subject suffering from a disease selected from the group consisting of Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; and 
 administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a complex of Formula (I): 
 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         where: 
         the complex is symmetrical; 
         M is Cu or Zn; 
         R 1  and R 5  are each hydrogen; 
         R 2  and R 6  are each methyl, ethyl, or phenyl; and 
         R 3  and R 4  are each methyl. 
       
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  where the disease is Parkinson's disease. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  where the disease is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  where M is Cu. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  where M is Zn. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  where R2 and R6 are each methyl. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  where R2 and R6 are each ethyl. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  where R2 and R6 are each phenyl. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 2  where M is Cu and R2 and R6 are each methyl. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 2  where M is Cu and R2 and R6 are each ethyl. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 2  where M is Cu and R2 and R6 are each phenyl. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 2  where M is Zn and R2 and R6 are each methyl. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 2  where M is Zn and R2 and R6 are each ethyl. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 2  where M is Zn and R2 and R6 are each phenyl. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 3  where M is Cu and R2 and R6 are each methyl. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 3  where M is Cu and R2 and R6 are each ethyl. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 3  where M is Cu and R2 and R6 are each phenyl. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 3  where M is Zn and R2 and R6 are each methyl. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 3  where M is Zn and R2 and R6 are each ethyl. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 3  where M is Zn and R2 and R6 are each phenyl.